IRVINE, CA (August 21, 2013): In two separate incidents since last evening, timely reports by Irvine residents have resulted in officers making two felony arrests. The first suspicious subject was found in possession of over a pound of marijuana, indicia of drug sales and manufacturing of hash wax, prescription medications, two rifles, ammunition and high capacity magazines. The second suspicious subject was caught in the act of committing a vehicle burglary in a parking structure. Both arrests are credited to citizen’s quick reporting made via 9-1-1 and accurately relayed information by Irvine dispatchers to patrol officers.

Tuesday, August 20, just before 6:00 p.m., officers responded to a suspicious vehicle parked near the community pool on Santa Clara. Officers arrived and contacted Christopher Lee Mearkle (10-10-84). Immediately seeing evidence of illegal drugs, officers detained Mearkle and searched his vehicle where they located approximately 1.5 pounds of marijuana, one rifle, one assault rifle, a high capacity magazine and ammunition and prescription drugs. Mearkle was arrested without incident and booked into the Orange County Jail for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sales, manufacturing hashish, being a felon in possession of a firearm as well as other weapons enhancements. He is currently being held in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Wednesday August 21, at about 12:30 a.m., officers responded to a vehicle burglary in progress at 2801 Main Street, the Camden Apartment Homes. A witness called to report seeing the subject trying as many as 20 door handles of vehicles on the third floor of the parking structure. The witness stayed on the phone with Irvine dispatchers until officers arrived and found Mitchell Keith Thompson (5-18-90) after having just crawled into the cab of a Toyota pickup truck through the sliding back window. Thompson was arrested without incident for vehicle burglary and possession of burglary tools. He is currently being held in lieu of $22,500 bail.

The Irvine Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind community members that reports of suspicious activity are an invaluable component of our efforts to combat and prevent crime. In addition to emergency reports to 9-1-1, citizens can provide less pressing information to dispatch at 949-724-7200 or download the Access Irvine APP to report crime tips anonymously.